Method and apparatus for plying strands



June 8, 1948. s. c. NELSON ,ME'I'HOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLYING STRANDS 2Sheets-Shani 1 Filed March 1, 1945 INVENTOR. M, 6 BY June 8, 1948. s c,NELSON 2,442,775

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLYING STRANDS Filed March 1, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 8, 1948 2,442,175 METHOD AND mm TUS FOBFLYING STRAND-S Seddon C. Nelsom Front Royal, Va assignor to Ameri canViscose Corporation, Wilmington,

Del, a corporatlon oi Delaware Application March 1, 1945, Serial No.580,409 25 Claims. ((31. 57-58) gether into the form of a plied ordoubled construction.

It has heretofore been suggested to twist together two or more yarns orother strands by causing one strand to be rotated about the supplypackage for the other strand, and after thus being ballooned around thepackage, the outer strand is joined with the strand from the innerpackage to form 'a wrapped or doubled yarn. In forming wrapped yarns, itis merely necessary to see that a different tension is applied to eachof the yarns associated by the twisting system. However, in formingdoubled or folded yarns of symmetrical construction, it has beennecessary heretofore that the tension in each yarn 'be madesubstantially the same. For this purpose, it had already been suggestedto provide such a system with a tension equalizer whereby an increase intension in one of the yarns actuates the equalizing device to modify thetension of both yarns to restore them to substantially equal tensions.However, all such systems heretofore proposed have the disadvantages ofbeing difilcult to lace up when starting up the system, and frequentlyof exerting severe rubbing and frictional efiects upon the yarns.

According to the present invention, the necessity to have each yarnunder the same tension is avoided by providing a common yarn-feedcontrol means comprising at least one rotatable idler roll about theperipheral surface of which thestrands pass in non-slipping tractiveengagement for directing or maintaining the feed of both or all of theyarns to the doubling point at substantially the same speed. A furtherobject of the invention is to provide sucha feed control arrangement ofa construction adapted for rapid and easy lacing. Further objects andadvantages will be apparent from the drawing to which reference is madehereinafter.

In the drawing illustrative of the invention,

Figure 1 shows in vertical elevation, partially in cross section, oneembodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation, partially in section, showing amodification in a multiple end or multiple station machine;

Figure 3 is a detail view;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, of amodification of theyarn-feeding means;

Figure 5 shows a modification forplying more than two strands.

strands proceeding from a single package in which they are woundside byside, and

Figure 7 shows diagrammatically a modification of Figure 6.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the doubling system of the presentinvention comprises a ho!- low twisting spindle 2 rotatably mounted in asupport 3 and suitably driven preferably at substantially constantspeed, such as by the pulley 4, belt 5 and motor 6. The hollow spindle 2is mounted at an angle inclined to the vertical and at its upper end isprovided with an anti-friction bearing for rotatably supporting apackage carrier comprising a tapered member 1 adapted to fit inside thepackage which may in this instance be wound on the conical core 8, andan annular base 9 which may be weighted at ill to prevent rotation ofthe package carrier during rotation of the spindle 2-. Advantageously ashroud l l and removable hood l2 may be provided to prevent interferencebetween the yarns and too rapid unwinding of the yarn from the packagetherein caused by air currents set up by the ballooning yarn. A hollowguide i3 fits within the open end of the form I and is arranged inalignment with the hollow spindle 2. This guide I3 is hollow and isrecessed at It to permit the insertion of a spring tension element IS.The tension element I5 is held in place about the tubular guide l3 bymeans of a ring it. An additional ring ll may be moved back and forth toadjust the pressure of the spring element I5 against the portion of theguide i3 not cut away adjacent H.

A flyer I8 is secured to the spindle 2 between the package carrier andthe support 3, and the hollow spindle is provided with an opening 19adjacent the flyer. Aballoon-controlling guide 20 is mounted on an arm2i hinged to an extension 3a of the supporting structure. A tensiondevice 22, and a pulley guide 23 are arranged to guide yarn from anouter package carried on a support 24.

There is secured to the lower end of the hollow spindle 2-, an arm 25carrying two canted idler rolls 26. The axesof these rolls extend acrossthe axis of the spindle, so that the yarns proceed side by side out ofthe hollow spindle substantially parallel to eachother and insubstantially nonslipping tractiveengagement about the two rolls as aunit, the canted arrangement of the rolls assuring lateral displacementof the yarns to prevent rubbing contact with their courses passingdirectly to the rolls as would occur if the rolls 26 were mounted onparallel axes or a single Figure 6 shows a modification for doubling llidler roll were used. A take-up device 21 with a loop or balloon to theflyer II, the opening ll of the spindle 2 and through the hollow spindleto the rolls 26. At the same time, the yarn from the inner packageproceeds through the guide l3 and then is guided longitudinally througha path extending through the tension device ll through the spindle 2 tothe rolls 2.. The shroud II and hood l2 prevent interference between theyarns from the difi'erent packages. After the outer yarn enters thehollow spindle 2, it can be said to join the path of the inner yarn (forpurposes of definition herein, this path is considered to be the hollowbore within the spindle 2) and the two would be to have the same tensionexerted upon each of the yarns, the use of the feeding means of thepresent invention allows considerable difference to be present in suchtensions without such difference producing a noticeable eifect upon thefinal doubled structure.

Referring to Figure 2, a modification is shown adapting the twister to acompact, eiiicient and convenient arrangement in a multiple-unitmachine. As shown, the machine comprises a framework having centraluprights 32 carrying a lower supporting platform 24 and upper supports2|. Such supports are carried on each side of the center of the machinas viewed endwise in Pigvure 2, and only the details of one side areshown in full and described hereinafter. A rail 28 having a plurality ofsupporting bearings 21, one for arns proceed substantially in the samegeneral path side by side to the rolls 2. and about the rolls withoutbeing twistedtogether. Since the spindle 2 rotates with rolls 2! aboutthe axis of the spindle, the idler roll assembly rotates as a unit aboutthis axis and at the same speed as the spindle and the fiyercarried'thereby and doubling occurs approximately at thepoint where thetwo yarns leave the rolls 2. to proceed to the I take-up 21. While thetwo yarns are not twisted together until they are about to leave therolls 2'. they are twisted about their individual axes in a directionopposite to the doubling or cabling twists of the plied yarns. Thus. ifthe spindle 2 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed from above,Z-twist is put into the individual yarns before they reach the rolls 2!,but s-twist is present in the doubled structure. the combination of suchtwists in the final structure resulting in the lay of the fibers orfilaments in the final structure being substantially parallel to theaxis of the structure. Obviously, byrotatingthe spindle in the oppositedirection. the final cord will have the opposite or Z-twist, The numberof twists per inch in thefinal cord structure can be controlled bypredetermining the relation between the speed of rotation of the spindlewith respect to the speed of the take-up.

Figure 4 shows a modification of the yarnfeed control rolls inaccordance with which two or more rolls 26a rotatably mounted 'onparallel axes arranged across the extended axis of the spindle 2 arecarried by the arm 25. Three are actually shown in alignment so that theyarns proceed from the hollow spindle side by side in a sinuous pathabout each of the rolls in succession. Preferably the rolls, as inFigure 3. are open at one end and by thus being free of obstruction arereadily laced. In addition, where a multiplicity of rolls are used as inFigure 4, each roll may have a shorter axial length than that of itsimmediate predecessor, which again facilitates lacing. The axes of theseveral mils of Figure 4 may also be offset to increase the arc ofcontact with the yarns thereabout to assure non-slipping contact. Therolls 2! or 24a may be provided with grooves for receiving the yarn butthis is not essential or preferred.

By using the yam-controlling arrangement for directing them at the samespeed to the doubling point, it is not essential that the tensions inthe yarns as they proceed through the twisting device be the same. Whilethe ideal situation each hollow spindle 2 of each unit, extends thelength of the machine above the intermediate platform 24. The pulleys 4of the units are driven by a belt is operating in connection with thepulley 28 on the driving shaft It running the length of the machine.vided to direct the yarn from the packages on the lower support 33 whichmay be arranged for transfer unwinding. The upper supports 3 carryguiding rotors 4|,theresistance to rotation of which may be controlledby adjusting the finger screw 42 which varies the pressure of a dragblock 42 against a disc 44 fixed to the shaft to which the roller 4| issecured. The packages on the lower support 23 and the associated guide22a are offset longitudinally of the machine from the twisting'unitwhich comprises a balloonins guide 20a for leading the outer strandthereto from the roller 4| which is directly over guide 20a. The doubledyarns proceed from the rollers 28 carried by the spindle 2 about a pairof canted rolls 4!, which are rotatably mounted in a fixed position on alever arm 48 in turn pivotally mounted at 41 on upright 22. Arm 4' alsocarries a gear 48, which is driven by gear 49 carried by a driving shaftI, the gear 42 serving to drive at least one of the rolls 45 atcontrolled speed. A traverse-guide 5i controls the lay of the yarns uponthe take-up 52, which may be driven by means of the cylinder I2 makingperipheral contact therewith. A manual stop and start lever 84 isprovided and is linked to the lever 55, which is fixedly ,secured tolevers 48 and 58, such threearmed lever unit being pivotally mounted at41 as that lever 55 controls the pivotal motion of lever 46 and lever58. Lever it carries a belttensioning pulley 51 and a brake 58. Lever 54also carries a pin 59, co-operating with the clutch-shifting member illfor connecting the shaft 6| with the take-up driving cylinder II. Lever54 extends at an angle from its pivotal connection with lever 55, sothat its direction makes a small angle with the plane of the drawing, Inorder to stop the machine. the operator gives the handle of the lever I4a motion comprising a component longitudinally of the machine todisengage the clutch 6B and transverse of the machine toward the centerthereof to rotate levers Ii, 56 and 46 as a unit in a clockwisedirection, thereby releasing the tension of pulley 51 against belt is,applying brake II to the pulley 4 and disengaging gear 48 from gear as.The spring 62 plus the yarn tension maintains the parts in drivingrelationship. If either strand breaks the yarn tension is reduced. Rolls4I then drop and stop the machine automatically by the sequence above.

In the embodiments shown, the means for con- A guide rail 40 isProtrolling the feed of the yarns at the same speed to the doublingposition is shown below the hollow spindle. It is to be understood,however, that such feed-controlling means can be placed at any positionof the spindle after the yarn from the outer package has entered thehollow spindle. Thus, in Figure 1, the hollow spindle may be given a,somewhat longer extension between the bearing 3 and the fiyer, so thatthere would be room for the rolls to be mounted below the opening i9therein. Such an embodiment necessitates the cutting away of a part ofthe hollow spindle, however, and to this extent would bedisadvantageous. Preferably, the feed-control means is arranged in theopen beyond the lower end of the hollow spindle, where it is mostaccessible for lacing up, and does not require a cutting away of thespindle.

While the invention has been disclosed with respect to the doublingtogether of two yarns, it is applicable as well to the doubling togetherof more than two yarns. For example, the same twisting system may beemployed by supporting a third package between the guide 20 and theinside package within the shroud i l Such intermediate package would besupported on an extension of guide tube I3 (see modified tube i3a ofFigure and the yarn proceeding from it would pass down through tube i3a,and enter the end of spindle 2. The yarn from the lower package on thespindle would then pass up through a guide tube 13 with tension device14 at the top of removable hood l2. It would then balloon about bothpackages and enter spindle 2 at hole Hi. The yarn coming from the outerpackage such as that carried on the support 24 would be ballooned aroundboth of the other packages at the same speed as the ballooning of theyarn from the package on the spindle and then all three yarns would beassembled in the hollow spindle 2 in advance of the rolls 26.

The system of the present invention is particularly applicable for theproduction of plied constructions by a method involving first thewinding of two yarns or other strands side by side in a common packagewithout intertwisting, upon a suitable core, such as a bobbin, cone, ordrum, and then mountin the resulting two-strand package upon the spindleof the present invention, as illustrated in Figure 6. As there shown,

the construction is substantially the same as in Figure 1, except that ayarn guiding tube 13 and a fixed tension device 14 are provided at thetop of the removable hood l2b for a second strand which is led therebyout at the top and balloons down to the flyer i8 entering the hollowspindle 2 at hole i9. The first strand passes down tubular guide i 3 asbefore. A third strand (as shown diagrammatically in Figure 7) may thenbe led through guide 20 and ballooned about the package to the other endof flyer I8 and enter the spindle from the side opposite the point ofentry of the second strand. After the three strands reach a common pathwithin the passage of the hollow spindle 2 they proceed about thefeeding rolls 26 carried on arm 25 secured for rotation with thespindle. Since both yarns from the common package are used at the samerate, the utilization of the two-strand package is accompanied byexcellent results, no difliculty being encountered by difierence inspeeds of unwinding of the strands from the package. The difference inlengths of the paths followed by the two strands can be compensated forduring the initial lacing up of the system, so that the outer strand hasan 6 additional length to provide the ballooning. The two ballooningstrands cannot interfere with each other since they travel at the samespeed and are held apart by flyer l8.

In the specification and claims, the term "doubling is intended toinclude the plying, folding, intertwisting, or twisting together of twoor more than two individual strands and it isnot intended to berestricted to the twisting together of two strands.

It is tobe understood that changes and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by theappended claims.

I claim:

1. The method of producing a plied strand construction comprising thesteps of winding two strands side by side on a core, guiding one of thestrands from the package longitudinally through a path, guiding theother strand through a loop about the package and then along the path ofthe first strand, directing the strands longitudinally through thecommon portion of said path substantially at the same speed to anintertwisting position and simultaneously rotating the strands inadvance of the intertwisting position about a common axis.

2. The method of producing a plied strand construction comprising thesteps of winding two strands side by side on a hollow core, guiding oneof the strands from the package through the hollow core and thenlongitudinally through a path, guiding the other strand through a loopabout the package and then along the path of the first strand, directingthe strands longitudinally through the common portion of said pathsubstantially at the same speed to an intertwisting position andsimultaneously rotating the strands in advance of the intertwistingposition about a common axis.

3. The method of producing a plied strand construction comprising thesteps of winding two strands side by side on a hollow core, guiding oneof the strands from the package through the hollow core and thenlongitudinally through a path, guiding the other strand through a loopabout the package and then along the path of, the first strand, guidinga third strand through a loop about the package and then along theadjacent paths of the first two strands, directing the strandslongitudinally through the common portion of said path substantially atthe same speed to an intertwisting position and simultaneously rotatingthe strands in advance of the intertwisting position about a commonaxis.

4. The method of producing a plied strand construction comprising thesteps of winding each ofa plurality of strands to form a separatepackage, disposing two of the packages in proximity to each other,guiding the strand from one of the two packages longitudinally throughthe other of the two packages and then through a path beyond the latterpackage, guiding the strand from the latter package through a looparound the former package, then back through a loop around both packagesand then along the path of the first strand, directing the strandsthrough the common portion of said path substantially at the same speedto an intertwisting position and simultaneously rotating the strands inadvance of the intertwisting position generally about a common axis.

5. The method of producing a plied strand construction comprising thesteps of winding each of a plurality of strands to form a separatelongitudinallypackage, disposing two of the packages in proximlty toeach other, guiding the strand from one of the two packageslongitudinally through the other 01' the two packages and then through apath beyond the latter package, guiding the strand from the latterpackage through a loop around the former package, then back through aloop around both packages and then along the path of the first strand,guiding a strand from a third package through a loop about the first twopackages and then along the path common to the first two strands,directing the strands longitudinally through said path substantially atthe same speed to an intertwisting position and simultaneously rotatingthe strands in advance of the intertwisting position generally about acommon axis.

6. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising supply means for a plurality oi strands, ahollow spindle, means for rotating the spindle, a carrier for supportingthe supply means for at least one strand on the spindle, means forpreventing rotation of the carrier during rotation of the spindle, aflyer secured to the spindle for rotating at least one other strand in aloop about the supply means carried on the spindle, and idler rollermeans carried by the spindle for rotation therewith for maintaining thefeed of the strands from the supply means on the carrier and from theloop thereabout longitudinally to the doubling position substantially atthe same speed, each idler roll of said idler roll means being arrangedto receive all of the strands in substantially non-slipping, tractiveengagement about at least a portion of its peripheral surface.

7. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising supply means for a plurality of strands, ahollow spindle, means for rotating the spindle, a carrier for supportingthe supply means for at least one strand on the spindle, means forpreventing rotation of the carrier during rotation of the spindle, afiyer secured to the spindle for rotating at least one other strand in aloop about the supply means carried on the spindle, and at least oneidler roll rotatably mounted on an axis transversely of the axis of thespindle carried by the spindle for bodily rotation therewith andarranged to receive the strands about its peripheral surface insubstantially non-slipping, tractive engagement for maintaining the feedof the strands from the supply means on the spindle and from the loopthereabout longitudinally to the doubling position substantially at thesame speed.

8. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising supply means for a plurality of strands,means for guiding the strands to a doubling position, means for rotatingthe strands about their axes without doubling them in advance of thedoubling position, and means for maintaining the feed of the strands atsubstantially the same speed to the doubling position comprising atleast one rotatable idler roll arranged to receive all the strands andabout the peripheral surfacegof which the strands pass substantially innonslipping, tractive engagement, said feed-maintaining means beingarranged to be rotated bodily about the axis of doubling to preventdoubling in advance of the doubling position, said idler roll beingsupported at one end only and having its other end unobstructed tofacilitate lacing up.

9. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands .to form aplied construction comprising supply means for a plurality of strands,means for guiding the strands to a doubling position, means for rotatingthe strands about their axes without doubling them in advance of thedoubling position, and means for maintaining the feed of the strands atsubstantially the same speed to the doubling position comprising aplurality of rotatable idler rolls each being arranged to receive all ofthe strands, the several rolls being so positionally disposed withrespect to each otherv as to assure substantially nonslipping, tractiveengagement of the strands on at least one of the rolls, saidfeed-maintaining means being arranged to be rotated bodily about theaxis of doubling to prevent doubling in advance of the doublingposition, said rotatable elements being supported at one and only andhaving their other ends unobstructed to facilitate lacing up.

10. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising supply means for a plurality of strands, ahollow spindle, means for rotating the spindle, a carrier for supportingsupply means for at least one strand on the spindle, means forpreventing rotation of the carrier during rotation of the spindle, aflyer secured to the spindle for rotating at least one other strand in aloop about the supply means carried on the spindle, an arm secured tothe spindle, and a plurality of idler rolls rotatably mounted ,on thearm on axes transverse that of the spindle for maintaining the feed ofthe strands longitudinally to the doubling position substantially at thesame speed.

11. Apparatus for twisting together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising a plurality of supply packages, means forguiding a strand from one of the packages longitudinally through a path,means for guiding a strand from a second package in a loop about thefirst package and back in a loop about the first and second packagesapproximately to the path of the first strand, means beyond the pathjuncture for maintaining the feed of the strands longitudinallysubstantially at the same speed to a plying position and forsimultaneously rotatin the strands in advance of the plying position soas to put in a twist opposite to the ply twist, said feed-maintainingand strand-rotating means comprising at least one rotatable idler rollabout the peripheral surface of which the strands pass substantiall innon-slipping, tractive engagement.

12. Apparatus for twisting together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising a plurality of supply packages, means forguiding a strand from one or the packages longitudinally through a path,means for guiding a strand from a second package in a loop about thefirst package and back, in a loop about the first and second packagesapproximately to the path of the first strand, means for guiding astrand from a third package in a loop about the first two packagesapproximately to the point of juncture of the first two strands, meansbeyond the path juncture for maintaining the feed of the strandslongitudinally substantially at the same speed to a plying position andfor simultaneously rotating the strands in advance of the plyingposition so as to put in a twist opposite to the ply twist, saidfeed-maintaining and strand-rotating means comprising at least onerotatable idler roll about the peripheral surface of which the strandspass substantially in non-slipping, tractive engagement. 7

13. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising supply means for a plurality of strands, ahollow spindle, means for rotating the spindle, a carrier for supportingthe supply means for at least one strand on the spindle, means forpreventing rotation of the carrier during rotation of the spindle, aflier secured to the spindle for rotating at least one other strand in aloop about the supply means carried on the spindle, an arm secured tothe spindle, and-a, pair of canted idler rolls rotatably mounted on thearm on axes transverse that of the spindle for receiving all of thestrands in substantially non-slipping, tractive engagement about each oftheir peripheral surfaces and for maintaining the feed of the strandslongitudinally to the doubling position substantially at the same speed,said rolls being supported on one end only leaving the other endunobstructed to facilitate lacing up.

14. Apparatus for doublin together a plurality of strands to form a plieconstruction comprising supply means for a plurality of strands, ahollow spindle, means for rotating the spindle, a carrier for supportingthe supply means for one strand on the spindle, means for preventingrotation of the carrier during rotation of the spindle, a flier securedto the spindle for rotating at least one other strand in a loop aboutthe supply means carried on the spindle, an arm secured to the spindle,and a plurality of idler rolls rotatably mounted on the arm on axestransverse that of the spindle for maintaining the feed of the strandslongitudinally to the doubling position substantially at the same speed,said rolls being supported on one end only leaving the other endunobstructed to facilitate lacing up and each of the rolls being ofprogressively lesser axial length in the direction of travel of thestrands.

15. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising a plurality of supply packages, means forguiding a strand from one of the packages longitudinally through a path,means for guiding a strand from at least one other package in a loopabout the first package approximately to the path of the other strand,means beyond the path juncture for maintaining the feed of the strandslongitudinally substantially at the same speed to a doubling positionand for simultaneously rotating the strands in advance of the doublingposition about a common axis, said feed-maintaining and strand-rotatingmeans comprising at least one rotatable idler roll about the peripheralsurface of which the strands pass substantially in non-slipping,tractive engagement.

16. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising supply means for a plurality of strands,means for guiding one of the strands longitudinally through a path.means for guiding at least one other strand in a loop about the supplymeans for both strands approximately to the path of the first strand,means beyond the path juncture for maintaining the feed of the strandslongitudinally substantially at the same speed to a doubling positionand for simultaneously rotating the strands in advance of the doublingposition about a common axis, said feed-maintaining and strand-rotatingmeans comprising at least one rotatable idler roll about the peripheralsurface of which the strands pass substantially in non-slipping.tractive engagement.

17. Apparatus for doubling together a pluraly of strands to form a pliedconstruction compr ing common supply means for a plurality of strands,means for guiding one of the strands longitudinally through a path,means for guidin a second strand in a loop about the supply means forboth strands approximately to the path of the first strand, means forguiding a third strand from a more remote package in a loop about thecommon supply means of the first two strands to the point of juncture ofsaid strands, means beyond the path juncture for maintaining the feed ofthe strands longitudinally substantially at the same speed to a doublingposition and for simultaneously rotating the strands in advance of thedoubling position about a common axis, said feed-maintaining andstrand-rotating means comprising at least one rotatable idler roll aboutthe peripheral surface of which the strands pass substantially innon-slipping, tractive engagement.

18. Apparatus for doubling together a pluraliity of strands to form aplied construction comprising a. plurality of strand supply packages, ahollow spindle, means for rotating the spindle, a carrier for supportingone of the packages on the spindle, means for preventing rotation of thecarrier during rotation of the spindle, a fiyer secured to the spindlefor rotating at least one other strand from another package in a loopabout that carried on the spindle, and at least one idler roll rotatablymounted on an axis transversely of the axis of the spindle carried bythe spindle for bodily rotation therewith and arranged to receive thestrands about its peripheral surface in substantially non-slipping,

tractive engagement for maintaining the feed of the strands from thepackage on the spindle and from the loop thereabout longitudinally tothe doubling position substantially at the same speed.

19. Apparatus for doubling together a, plural ity of strands to form aplied construction comprising a plurality of strand supply packages,means for guiding the strands to a doubling position, means for rotatingthe strands about their axes without doubling them in advance of thedoubling position, and means for maintaining the feed of the strands atsubstantially the same speed to the doubling position comprising atleast one rotatable idler roll arranged to receive all the strands andabout the peripheral surface- 20. Apparatus for doubling together aplurality of strands to form a plied construction comprising a pluralityof strand supply packages, a hollow spindle, means for rotating thespindle, a carrier for supporting at least one of the packages on thespindle, means for preventing rota: tion of the carrier during rotationof the spindle, a fiyer secured to the spindle for rotating at least oneother strand from another package in a, loop about such packages as arecarried on the spindle, *an arm secured to the spindle, and a pluralityof idler rolls rotatably mounted on the arm on axes transverse that ofthe spindle for receiving all of the strands in substantiallynonslipping, tractive engagement about each of their peripheral surfacesand for maintaining the feed of the strands longitudinally to th'edoubling position substantially at the same speed.

21. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising a plurality ofstrand supply packages, ahollow spindle, means for rotating the spindle, a carrier for supportingat least one of the'packages on the spindle, means for preventingrotation of the carrier during rotation of thespindle, a fiyer securedto the spindle for rotating at least one other-strand from anotherpackage in a loop about such packages as are carried on the spindle, anarm secured to the spindle, and a pair of canted idler rolls rotatablymounted on the arm on axes transverse that of the spindle for receivingall of the strands in substantially non-slipping, tractive engagementabout each of their peripheral surfaces and for maintaining the feed ofthe strands longitudinally to the doubling position substantially at thesame speed, said rolls being supported on one end only leaving the otherend unobstructed to facilitate lacing up.

22. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising a plurality of strand supply packages. ahollow spindle, means for rotating the spindle, a carrier for supportingat least one of the packages on the spindle, means for preventingrotation of the carrier during rotation of the spindle, a flyer securedto the spindle for rotating at least one other strand from anotherpackage in a loop about such packages as are carried on the spindie, anarm secured to the spindle, and a plurality of idler rolls rotatablymounted on the arm on axes transverse that of the spindle formaintaining the feed of the strands longitudinally to the doublingposition substantially at the same speed, said rolls being supported onone end only leaving the other end unobstructed to facilitate lacing upand eachof the rolls being of progressively lesser axial length in thedirection of travel of the strands.

23. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising supply means for a plurality of strands,means for guiding one of the strands longitudinally through a path,rotatable means for guiding at least one other strand in a loop aboutthe supply means for the first strand to the path of the first strand,idler roll means rotatable as a unit about the same axis as therotatable guiding means and disposed, with the axis of each roll thereofextending generally transversely of the first-mentioned axis of rotationbeyond the path juncture for maintaining the feed of the strandslongitudinally substantially at the same speed to a doubling positionbeyond the feedmaintaining means and for simultaneously rotating thestrands in advance of-the doublin position about a common axis,each'idler roll of said idler roll means being arranged to receive allof the strands in substantially non-slipping,

tractive engagement about at least a portion of its peripheral surface,and means for rotating the guiding means and idler roll means abouttheir common axis at the same speed of rotation.

24. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction com- J take-up means, rotatable means for guiding at12 prising supply means for a pl r li y of strands, take-up means, meansfor guiding one of the strands longitudinally through a path to theleast one other strand in a loop about the supply means for the firststrand and then along the path of the first strand to the take-up means.idler roll means rotatable as a unit about the same axis as. therotatable guiding means and disposed, with the axis of each roll thereofextending generally transversely of the first-mentioned axis ofrotation, in the generally common portion of the path of the strands formaintaining the feed of the strands longitudinally alongside each othersubstantially at the same speed to a doubling position beyond thefeedmaintaining means and in advance of the takeup means and forsimultaneously rotating the strands in advance of the doubling positionabout a'common axis, each idler roll of said idler roll means beingarranged to receive all or the strands in substantially non-slipping,tractive engagement about at least a portion of its peripheral surface,and means for rotating the guiding means and idler roll means abouttheir common axis at the same speed of rotation.

25. Apparatus for doubling together a plurality of strands to form aplied construction comprising supply means for a plurality of strands,means for guiding one 01 the strands longitudinally through a path,rotatable means for guiding at least one other strand in a loop aboutthe supply means for the first strand to the path of the first strand,idler roll means rotatable as a unit about the same axis as therotatable guiding means and disposed, with the axis of each roll thereofextending generall transversely of the first-mentioned axis of rotation,beyond the path juncture for maintaining the feed of the strandslongitudinally substantially at the same speed to a doubling positionand for simultaneously rotating the strands in advance of the doublingposition about a common axis, said feedmaintaining and strand-rotatingmeans comprising at least one rotatable element about the peripheralsurface of which the strands pass substantially in non-slipping,tractive engagement, and means for rotating the guiding means and idlerroll'means about their common axis at the same speed of rotation.

SEDDON C. NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the

